Tramwaymen’s Threat to Take Direct Action

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 280, 27 November 1945, Page 4

Tramwaymen’s Threat to Take Direct Action

Continued Payment of War Bonus Sought (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 26. A general meeting of members of the Wellington Tramways Union has decided that direct action should be resorted to if necessary to resolve the dispute which has arisen between the union and the Wellington City Corporation regarding the continued payment of the war loading bonus of 3s 4d a week and also the matter of transport for earJv shift workers. The unanimous decision of the meeting was: “That failing satisfactory settlement by mid-day to-morrow, a one-day strike shall be called for Wednesday, and that night shift workers will not report for duty on Tuesdav night.” The night workers referred to arc cleaners and others engaged on rolling stock and maintenance at the tram barns and bus garages.

A second strike is forecast for the following Wednesday if a satisfactory settlement has not been reached by Tuesday, December 4, and on this second Wednesday, December 5, a meeting of members will bo held to decide upon further steps to effect a settlement.

The decisions of tho meeting were conveyed in a letter to the Town Clerk to-day by the secretary of tho union, Mr. P. A. Hansen.

Application was made to .the Court of Arbitration this morning by the Department of Labour for a special fixture and as a matter of urgency to obtain a ruling upon the main point at issue: Whether payment of the war loading bonus should continue as the other provisions of the old award until that award was superseded by a new award, or whether the position was governed by the opinion expressed in a memorandum to an amendment of May 25, 1945, which stated: “. . . . Jt

would seem that the present provision regarding the special bonus cannot operate after October 1, 1945.” Mr. Justice Tyndall declined to make the speci.nl fixture sought in the meantime, referring to the great pressure upon the Court of applications for which fixtures had already been made. His Honour, remarking that it appeared probable that a case might have to be stated for the Court of Appeal, which would not sit until March, and that a considerable period must elapse before the Court's decision could be made known, suggested that representatives of the Department of Labour, Crown Law Office and City Corporation should confer and discuss some alternative means of arriving at a more rapid determination and, if necessary, should again approach the Court.